PART i. SERMON V. 71 myself because of sin. O that my head were, waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night, because I havebeen such a sinner so long, andbecause Iam so much a sinner still !" The heart of a saint that comes near to God, is pained at the memory of' old sins ; and together with a presentsweetness of divine love, i= there is a sort'of anguish át the thoughts of past in quities. A present God will make past sins look dreadful and heinous ; therefore it is that sin looks so little to us, and appears so light a thing, because we seldom get near to the seat of God, and bring our iniquities to that divine light. It is a very common instance, and you all know it, that a blot or spot on a paper or garment, looks so muchdeeper, when the place you view it in is lighter ; at noon-day, and in the eye of the sun, those smaller blemishes appear, which at other timesare utterly unseen, and every greater spot, every fouler stain, looks most odious and disagreeable. Justthus his with the soul, when it is displayedunderthe eye of the Sun of Righteousness every blemish, every defilement appears, and the soul hates itself sofar it is sinful, while sin itself looks infinitely more odious. Therefore Job says, ix. 30. Should I wash myself in snow- water, andmake myself never so clean, thouwouldestplunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes would abhor me; that is, " should. I use all the methods of cleansing that are possible, and then enter into thy immediate presence, that light of thy presence would discover so many spots and defilements upon me, asif I hadjust plunged myself in a ditch, and my garments had been all over defiled." [This sermon, if too long, maybe divided here.] IV. At such a time there is a power and virtue enters into the soul, coming from a present God, to resist sin, and to oppose great temptation." " I can do all things, if Christ benear to strengthen me, says the apostle ; Phil. iv. 13. When I was afflicted with the buffeting of Satan, says. the same apostle; 2 Cor. xii. 8, S. for this I applied mÿself to themercy-seat, and I got near to,the throne of grace ; there I pleaded with my God, and I received this answer from him ; My grace is sufficient,for thee ; then, says he, I could glory in infirmities, and in persrcu- tions for Christ's sake ; for when I am weak, then I am strong; when I feel my oivn weakness, and see Almighty strength near` me, and engaged on my side, then I grow strong in courage, and with success encounter my most powerful adversaries. I will not fear, says David, though thousands have set themselves toge- ther against me, if thou art with me, my strength andmy rock : I will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and fear no evil ; Psal. xxiii. 4. for thou art with me." Divine cour- age and fortitude are increased abundantly by coming so near-to the throne of God.
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